Want to avoid invasive drone surveillance? In one minute, I’ll share a few steps you can take to protect your privacy.
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See all the police surveillance tools used in your city
Over a million hobby drones are registered in the U.S. You may never know when you’re being watched. Check out my guide to avoiding drone surveillance. We wrote this after one hovered over my pool while I was swimming.
Have you ever stayed in an Airbnb? Hosts sometimes spy on their guests with hidden cameras. Yes, that happened to me, too. Use these tricks to catch them in the act.
Police departments are stepping up their surveillance, adding drones to their tech collection. How closely does your local department monitor you? Here’s a searchable website you can use to see.
Big Brother is watching
Atlas of Surveillance is a searchable database project from the Electronic Frontier Foundation. It shows which surveillance technologies — such as drones, automated license plate readers, and facial recognition — are used by law enforcement agencies across the U.S.
The pilot program began as a collaboration between the EFF and the University of Nevada’s Reno Reynolds School of Journalism in 2019.
The information comes from public records, crowdsourcing, data journalism, news stories, social media posts, press releases, and volunteer assistance. As of November 2022, the Atlas of Surveillance had 10,000 data points, with at least partial data on 5,500 law enforcement agencies in all 50 states, plus most territories and districts.
The Atlas of Surveillance site says its information is only as good as the source and that government agencies can withhold information. Plus, there’s always the chance of misinterpretation.
While it’s impossible to fact-check every data point, each one is reviewed by multiple journalism students and staff. Let’s have a closer look at what it shows.
Types of surveillance in use around the country
Does a camera on every street corner make you nervous? Do you worry that your face is constantly being scanned against a database of who-knows-who? Some people don’t mind it, and others are bothered by it.
Your boss('s robot) is watching
Companies using tech to keep an eye on employees is nothing new. But the spyware that tallies productivity and ensures you’re logged in on time is so last decade. We’re living in an AI world, folks.
Let’s look at what might be taking a close look at you or someone you know who’s working remotely.
You can store your driver's license in Apple Wallet if you live in these states
Thanks to your smartphone, consider all the things you no longer have to carry around. These incredible devices house a clock, camera, GPS, credit card, phone book, browser, gaming system, flashlight, notebook and much more.
5 features you should have in every indoor security camera
Research the best indoor security cameras and you’ll get many results. One way to cut through the nonsense and hone in on what you want is by asking yourself which indoor security camera features you need.
This way, you can filter out cameras that don’t have everything you need. Once you find your perfect camera, you must consider the best placement and location. Here are three ways to make the most of your video cameras.
How to install a security camera without breaking any laws
Security cameras are a great way to protect your property. Tap or click here for ways to keep hackers out of your smart home security cameras. But if you don’t set them up correctly, you could pay an arm and a leg. We’re not talking about maintenance fees, either — we’re talking about legal fees.
Study: Most Americans believe they’re being tracked
Using an app exposes you to tracking, but it’s particularly dangerous with certain ones. TikTok has been banned from government and military devices in the U.S., and there’s been a push for its Chinese owners to sell their shares in the company. And that’s not all. Watch out for these other Chinese apps.
Think your phone is always listening? You're not alone
Is your phone secretly listening to you? Over the last decade, the notion has become a part of American culture. But how legitimate is this belief? Weirdly specific ads, smart assistant surveillance and plain old paranoia may all influence your relationship with technology.
Are facial recognition cams like the ones in China coming to a store near you?
Get ready for an Orwellian shopping experience in New York City. Thanks to criminals claiming the five-finger discount, you’ll have to kiss your privacy goodbye. Chinese-made facial recognition cameras will scan your face to see if you’re a criminal.
Have a DJI drone? Beware of this serious security flaw
Drones are complex devices and need to have their firmware updated often. Sometimes this adds more features. On other occasions, it’s desperately needed to plug security flaws.
Read on to see how a flaw can bring down your DJI drone and expose your location.
Best police scanner apps for your phone
One of the best ways to follow police activity is to use scanners and listen to the radio chatter. This may sound legally questionable, but the Communications Act of 1934 established that radio airwaves are public property. It’s well within your rights to listen. Tap or click to see why some disagree and want to change this.
Check this site to see all the high-tech surveillance your local police use
There are over a million hobby drones registered in the U.S. Add in the unregistered ones, and who knows how high the numbers go. The point is you may never know when you’re being watched. Here are a few steps you can take to avoid invasive drone surveillance.
Protect your privacy: A guide to avoiding drone surveillance
I share a ton of tips to protect your privacy online. Do this quick 30-second check to keep your Google and Facebook accounts safe if you haven’t yet.
What about when you leave your home? Just about everywhere you go, you’re being watched.
Traffic cameras can now ticket you for having a loud car
You know you’re under surveillance at the airport, in a bank or federal building, but watchful eyes extend far beyond that. Depending on where you live, the government could be keeping tabs on you from the moment you leave home. Tap or click here for the top 10 most surveilled cities in the U.S.
Best security cameras for properties with bad or no Wi-Fi
One of my readers is interested in security cameras but is also worried about hackers. She asked me, “Can wireless cameras work without Wi-Fi?” The short answer is yes.
Of course, that introduces a follow-up question: “What are the best security cameras that don’t require Wi-Fi?” Type that into a search engine and you’ll be swarmed with countless options. But you don’t have time to research every camera on the market.
Use TikTok? Take this one step now or they might be tracking you
With Twitter dominating the social media headlines recently, problems with TikTok seem to be an afterthought. But the platform has too many issues to ignore. Tap or click here to find out how TikTok can record what you type.
Do this or anyone can see what your security camera sees
Security cameras are among the first lines of defense in protecting your home from criminals. They can notify you of suspicious activity even when you’re far away. You can keep an eye out for package deliveries and check up on your house while you’re at work.
Use these steps to find hidden cameras in an Airbnb or rental property
Camera technology has advanced immensely in the past few years. They keep getting smaller and smaller, making it possible to conceal them any which way. Cameras have become really affordable, too, and it’s now feasible to blanket your whole property with surveillance equipment without breaking the bank.
John Oliver busts data brokers, spurs Congress to action
Data brokers know if you have cancer, diabetes or a baby on the way. You might think that’s illegal under HIPAA — but as John Oliver revealed in his show “Last Week Tonight,” many data brokers reveal highly sensitive medical information. To urge Congress to limit data collection, he essentially blackmailed lawmakers with private data he legally obtained.
These apps collect the most private data from you
In today’s fast-paced digital world, no one has time to read the fine print. Many people click “Accept” without reading through the whole deal when downloading an app. The apps that collect the most private data love it when you agree to data collection without understanding what you give away.